OSHKOSH (NBC 26) — The portion of the Department of Transportation's Highway 21 project impacting the Fox River Bridge in Omro has been cut to 20 days — down from the originally planned 39 days.
The closure blocks all southbound bridge traffic in Omro. Anyone traveling by vehicle from the north side of Omro to the south side will be forced to reroute, turning a short drive into a 20-minute detour.
"Stage 3 is the only portion of the Omro work that will directly impact traffic across the Fox River Bridge," the DOT said in a media release. "During this stage, one-way westbound traffic will be maintained across the bridge, with eastbound traffic detoured via County K to County E to WIS 116."
"The revised 20-day timeline represents a substantial reduction in the inconvenience to the traveling public and local community," the DOT added.
Work on the bridge is scheduled to begin May 13.
City officials are working to minimize the impact on school bus routes.
Mary Berndt, Omro's new mayor, said the city is coordinating with law enforcement to allow buses to cross southbound after school.
"We are working with our law enforcement and trying to get it so that they can block off and allow the buses to come back," Berndt said.
Local businesses say they are bracing for the impact of the closure on top of construction that was already underway. LaRae Simonis, owner of Dauntless Soul Brew Company, a coffee shop just off Main Street, said business had been strong before construction began.
"Before the construction started, we just moved here in December. Business was booming, and then construction happened and we've probably been down about 20 to 25%," Simonis said.
Dauntless Soul Brew Company says it will adapt by offering delivery for orders over $50. The business says it may also sell products out of a van in north Omro.
Shari Chapman, owner of K&B Treats, said her business is committed to finding solutions for customers.
"We've always been [there] for our customers and we've proven that over and over and over again. We'll find a way. If there's a way ,we will find a way," Chapman said.
Even after the Omro Bridge project finishes, the full Highway 21 project is expected to last until November.
EDITOR'S NOTE: This story originally implied the bridge was closing entirely. That is inaccurate. We regret the error.
This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
